Case stacker



Dec. 13, 1949 I E. B. CARTER CASE STACKER s Shets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1946 E. B. CARTER CASE STACKER Dec. 13, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 24, 1946 Dec. 13, 1949 E. B. CARTER 2,491,298

CASE STACKER Filed April 24, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for stacking cases, and is more particularly concerned with the provision of an apparatus adapted for use in stacking cases of the type provided with hand-receiving apertures in the end walls thereof. More particularly, this invention comprises a pair of endless chains provided with a plurality of case lifting bars disposed for movement into the hand-receiving apertures of the cases to carry same from a loading position to a stacking position.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a case stacking apparatus embodying means for automatically moving the case lifting bars into the hand-receiving apertures of cases at the loading position of the apparatus. I This invention further contemplates the provision of a case stacking apparatus embodying resilient means for automatically retracting the lifting bars from their engagement within the hand-receiving apertures of cases when same are brought to rest in superimposed stacked relation. This invention further contemplates the provision of an improved form of case lifting bar which is particularly adapted for use with a sprocket chain of the roller type.

'It is a further object of this invention to provide a case stacking apparatus which is relatively inexpensive in construction, simple in operation and which will not readily get out of order.

This invention embodies other novel features, details of construction and arrangement of parts which are hereinafter set forth in the specification and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view showing a case stacking apparatus embodying features of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the case stacking apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a detailed plan view showing one of the case lifting bars employed for movement into and out of engagement with a case.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of same.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of this invention, the case stacking apparatus is shown as comprising a base plate 6 secured upon a, pair of I-beams 1. Extending upwardly from the plate 6 is provided a pair of channel members 8 and 9 which are disposed and secured in spaced parallel relation by means of a transverse channel member H and brace members l2 and I3. Sprocket bearing supports l4 and [S are secured to the upper ends of the channel members 8 and 9 to support sprocket bearings l6 at theends thereof. A sprocket I1 is journaled on each sprocket .bearing I6.

secured to the base plate 6 and has a pair of driving sprockets 2| secured thereto for driving engagement with their respective endless sprocket chains 22 and 23. An idler sprocket shaft 24 is journaled in suitable bearings (not shown) provided on the base plate 6 to support a pair of idler sprockets 26.

The endless chains 22 and 23 are driven by means of an electric motor 2'! which is operatively connected to a gear reduction box 28 through a suitable sprocket and chain drive 29. The gear reduction box 28 drives the driving shaft l8 through a pair of sprockets 3| and 32 and sprocket chain 33.

The frame of the machine also embodies case guiding rails 34 and 36 which are preferably formed of angle iron and extend upwardly from the base plate 6 and laterally at 31. The guide members 34 and 36 are secured in parallel spaced relation by means of transverse connecting members 38, and are also secured at their lower ends to the base plate 6 and to the channel members 8 and 9 at 4|. A case loading platform, which is generally indicated at 42, comprises a pair of horizontally disposed supporting members 43 and 44 having their inner ends secured to the guide rails 34 and 36, respectively, and their intermediate portions supported upon vertically disposed members 46 and 41. The vertical members 46 and 41 are also secured to the guide rails 34 and 36 by means of cross members 48 and 49.

The cases to be stacked are indicated at 50, and are of the type having hand receiving apertures 5| formed in the end walls 52 thereof. Each case 50 is lifted from its position upon the load ing platform 42 by means of lifting rods 53 provided at spaced intervals on the endless chains 22 and 23. Each lifting rod 53 extends through the pin apertures 54 of a set of chain links 56 and 51 to connect same together, and to also serve as a journal for a roller 58. The outer end' of each lifting rod 53 is journaled in a pair of supporting brackets 59 and 6| which, in turn, are secured on adjacent link connecting pins 62 and 63, respectively. Each lifting rod 53 is normally held in its retracted position, as illustrated in Fig. 4, by means of a compression spring 64 interposed between a collar 66, secured to the lifting rod '53, and one side of the endless chain. Each lifting rod 53 is also provided with a head portion 61 which serves as a journal for an adapter 68.

The adapter 68 is held a ainst axial movement relative to the lifting rod 53 by means of a shoulder 69 and an annular washer H the washer being secured on the inner end of the lifting rod 53 by means of a screw 12 threaded into the end of the lifting rod. The adapter 68 is provided with a pair of tapered fingers 13 adapted for insertion within a hand-receiving aperture 5| of a case to A driving shaft I8 is journaled in bearings l9 0 prevent lateral displacement of the latter during from the loading position and downwardly into stacked position.

3. In an apparatus for stacking cases having hand-receiving apertures formed therein, a pair of endless chains for conveying cases from a loading position to a stacking position, lifting rods provided on said chains, means for moving said lifting rods axally into lifting engagement within the apertures of said cases, a pair of stop members to prevent inward axial movement of said rods prior to registry of said rods with the apertures of a case disposed in the loading position, means for retaining said lifting rods within said case apertures during movement of the cases from the loading position to stacking position, and means for returning said lifting rods to their retracted position when cases are brought to rest in stacked relation.

4. In an apparatus for stacking cases having hand-receiving apertures formed therein, a pair of endless chains for conveying cases from a loading position to a stacking position, lifting rods provided on said chains, means for moving said lifting rods axially into lifting engagement within the apertures of said cases, a pair of stop members to prevent inward axial movement of said rods prior to registry of said rods with the apertures of a case disposed in the loading position, means for retaining said lifting rods within said case apertures during movement of the cases from the loading position to stacking position, and resilient means for automatically returning said lifting rods to their retracted position When cases are brought to rest in stacked relation.

5. In an apparatus for stacking oases having hand-receiving apertures formed therein, a pair of endless chains for conveying cases from a loading position to a stacking position, lifting rods mounted on said chains for movement transversely thereof, a pair of actuating arms for moving said lifting rods axially into lifting engagement within the apertures of said cases, a pair of stop members to prevent inward axial movement of said rods prior to registry of said rods with the apertures of a case disposed in the loading position, means for retaining said lifting rods within said case apertures during movement of the cases from a loading position to a stacking position, and spring means for automatically returning said lifting rods to their retracted position when cases are brought to rest in stacked relation.

6. In an apparatus for stacking cases having hand-receiving apertures formed therein, a frame, a pair of endless chains mounted on said frame for conveying cases from a loading position to a stacking position, lifting rods mounted on said chains for movement transversely thereof, a pair of actuating arms for moving said lifting rods axially into lifting engagement within the apertures of said cases, a pair of stop members for resisting inward axial movement of said rods prior to registry of the latter with the apertures of a case disposed in the loading position, means for retaining said lifting rods within said case apertures during movement of the cases from the loading position to the stacking position, and helical compression springs mounted on said lifting rods for automatically returning the rods to their outer retracted position when cases are brought to rest in stacked relation.

7. In an apparatus for stacking cases having hand-receiving apertures formed therein, the combination with a pair of endless roller chains for conveying cases from a loading position to a stacking position, said endless roller chains including sets of inner and outer links connected together by studs with a roller journaled upon each stud, of a lifting rod mounted for axial movement through the stud openings of opposite sets of links, lifting rod supporting brackets having their outer ends journaled on said lifting rod, and their inner ends secured to adjacent link connecting studs, an adapter journaled on the inner end of the lifting rod for engagement within a case aperture, and a helical compression spring mounted on said lifting rod for yieldably resisting inward axial movement of said lifting rod.

8. In an apparatus for stacking cases having hand-receiving apertures formed therein, the combination with a pair of endless roller chains for conveying cases from a loading position to a stacking position, said endless roller chains including sets of inner and outer links connected together by studs with a roller journaled upon each stud, of a lifting rod mounted for axial movement through the stud openings of opposite sets of links, lifting rod supporting brackets having their outer ends journaled on said lifting rod, and their inner ends secured to adjacent link connecting studs, an adapter journaled on the inner end of the lifting rod for engagement within a case aperture, a helical compression spring mounted on said lifting rod for yieldably resisting inward axial movement of said lifting rod, and means provided on the inner end of said lifting rod for engagement with the inner wall of a case to be stacked.

9. In an apparatus for stacking cases having hand-receiving apertures formed therein, the combination with a pair of endless roller chains for conveying cases from a loading position to a stacking position, said endless roller chains including sets of inner and outer links connected together by studs with a roller journaled upon each stud, of a lifting rod mounted for axial movement through the stud openings of opposite sets of links, lifting rod supporting brackets having their outer ends journaled on said lifting rod, and their inner ends secured to adjacent link connecting studs, an adapter journaled on the inner end of the lifting rod for engagement within a case aperture, a helical compression spring mounted on said lifting rod for yieldably resisting inward axial movement of said lifting rod, means provided on the inner end of said lifting rod for engagement with the inner wall of a case to be stacked, a pair of case engaging fingers formed on said adapter on opposite sides of said lifting rod, and a weighted portion formed on said adapter for maintaining said case engaging fingers in a horizontal plane.

ERMIN B. CARTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,403,942 Mathers July 16, 1946 

